THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has added a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reserve list to the original men’s basketball rosters as part of its contingency plan in assuring the success of its anticipated return for Season 84.
UAAP president Emmanuel “Nonong” Calanog of De La Salle University said at least four players in the special reserve list are available to activate aside from the 16-man roster when the league returns on March 26.
“One of the things we added into the mix is the roster expansion,” Mr. Calanog said in Noli Eala’s Power and Play program on Radyo Singko over the weekend.
“Just in case, teams can tap any of those COVID reserves to replace players, but only for COVID reasons, not for injuries,” he added.
The UAAP is actually mounting a full bubble at a still undetermined venue, but still plotted a backup plan for the ultimate goal of finishing the tournament — safely and smoothly.
“Our main objective is to make sure that we’re able to start and run the tournament without adding any variables so that we can play continuously,” Mr. Calanog added.
As bubble protocols, the UAAP will not allow fans at least for the first round of the men’s basketball tilt with an option of opening doors down the road.
After men’s basketball, the UAAP will stage women’s volleyball in May for a much-awaited return after two years of hiatus due to the pandemic. — John Bryan Ulanday